Media release from Georgia Northwestern Technical College:
Five Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) students have received the spring 2026 Gene Haas Scholarship, which rewards academic excellence and provides financial support for students working toward a degree, diploma or certificate in the Precision Machining and Manufacturing program.
John Burnette, a Summerville resident; Joshua Ruiz Campos, a Dalton resident; Zachary Culp, an Adairsville resident, Gibson Scott a Fairmount resident; and Mayahuel Yaoapoqa, a Trion resident, were awarded the spring 2026 Gene Haas scholarship. The scholarship is available for students in the Precision Machining and Manufacturing program and related fields on the Floyd County Campus in Rome and the Whitfield Murray Campus in Dalton.
“Georgia Northwestern Technical College deeply appreciates the Gene Haas Foundation for its outstanding support of our students,” Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC said. “These funds will enable students in our Precision Machining and Manufacturing program to stay the course toward graduation and achieve their career goals. We are grateful for this ongoing partnership.”
The scholarships were presented to the students by Jon Minyard, Haas sales engineer.
“At Georgia Northwestern Technical College, the impact of the Gene Haas Foundation is measured in student opportunity and program excellence. Their investment provides aspiring machinists with access to industry-standard CNC technology, hands-on training and scholarship support that removes financial barriers and accelerates career pathways,” Minyard said.
GNTC awards Gene Haas Scholarships throughout the year.
For students, this means graduating with confidence, real-world skills and direct entry into high-demand manufacturing roles, Minyard said.
Gene Haas, founder and owner of Haas Automation, personally funds his foundation to support the future of manufacturing because he believes that manufacturing is the foundation of a strong economy.
“For the college, it strengthens an already outstanding machining program, deepens partnerships with industry and ensures the curriculum stays aligned with the evolving needs of modern manufacturing,” Minyard said. “Together, they are not only educating students–they are building Georgia’s next generation of skilled CNC professionals.”
The Gene Haas Foundation donates millions annually to educational programs and community organizations. All grants are awarded exclusively to tax-exempt entities through an online application process. In 2024 alone, the Foundation distributed over $32 million in grants, bringing its total contributions since 1999 to more than $225 million.
In the photo from GNTC:
(From left) Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC; Bart Jenkins, program director and instructor of Precision Machining and Manufacturing at GNTC; Mayahuel Yaoapoqa, scholarship recipient; and Jon Minyard, Haas sales engineer, pose for a photo in the Precision Machining and Manufacturing lab at GNTC’s Floyd County Campus in Rome.
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